Laughing

Taking a french fry and popping it into his mouth Dan can see Dylan out of the corner of his eye eating and he was glad though he didn't draw attachen to it or make it a big deal. Its not till Dylan starts talking that Dan shifts a little to look at him. Still eating his good he just listens, process the words in his head and thinks about a reply. Having food was a good detraction for thinking.

"Well, I know your dad missed having you around. It was just one of those silent things you would tell. And Ash I am pretty sure is going to be happy to see you back. I often see her looking down the drive way almost lost in throught. I sometimes wondered if she was looking for you. And me I missed having someone to talk to while I worked."

Becoming quiet again Dan takes the moment for another bit of his burger. He's move on from that topic for now not pushing to hard. Dylan would see in time how many people really did miss him. He was part of the family at the ranch and to have him gone hurt even for those who went blood.

Finishing the first burger Dan crumpled up the paper and throws it in the back. He'd have to remember to clean out the truck when he got back. The last thing he needed was an unwanted infestation. Starting in on the next burger Dan finishs the bit and puts it down giving a nod to Dylan. He'd rather picked him up than have him get a ride. There were to many creeps out there.

"It's not a problem at all Dylan. I was happy to do it. Kinda made me feel wanted when I heard your call."

Still laying backwards on the slide a loud long laugh emerges from Beth as she holds her stomach. The mental image along was enough to throw her into a fit of laughter. It was something silly, senseless, and just down right funny.

"All I can see is you in the dog door like this...."

Beth puts her legs up in the air and kicks them wildly and she makes shorts for help between the laughing. Finally putting her legs down again and quieting the laughter she sits up and turn to look at Zach her legs hanging over the slide. She had, had a great time today.

"Thank you Zach, for finally getting the guys to say hit to me in the bar. A day like today is what I needed. I've had a wonderful time."

Doggy Door

Retreating to her bedroom, Cindy closes the door just enough that she'd feel alone yet still be able to hear Kaylee if need be. Wandering to the bed, she looks at it for several moments before easing down on the side where Wes always slept. She runs a hand over his pillow - the pillow she'd cried into night after night, praying until there were no more words that he would come home soon.

She swallows the lump in her throat and stares down into her hands at the dog tags. This was what she had left. That was it. A name and some numbers. Her husband had been stolen right out from under her, despite how tightly she had clutched. Her efforts to stay strong - to wait - to have faith... it all seemed in vain now.

Reaching over, she lets the tags slide from her palm and onto Wes' pillow. It would always be his pillow. Not hers. His. This bed. This room. This house. Every coat of paint, every board, everything... it all had Wes' sweat, blood, tears and love in it.

And Cindy hated it.

...She didn't know how long she'd sat on the edge of the bed, not moving. Her mind felt blank. Her heart felt empty. Her body felt like dead weight being dragged around by sheer will of muscle without a spirit. She knew God was here somewhere. She knew He loved her. She knew that He would bring good out of this no matter what she felt right now. But in her heart...it was all hard to believe and hang onto that faith.

Hearing Kaylee wandering down the hall, Cindy knows she must rise. She must go on. She must. She would rather stay here and shut out the world, but she had a little girl that needed her, and it was her responsibility as her mother.

Out in the hallway, she scoops Kaylee up in her arms and takes her to the kitchen where they would finish the dishes together. It would be a quiet evening. Too quiet. Cindy knew she must tell the rest of the family about Wes as well, but she would do it in the morning. Tonight...tonight she wouldn't put herself through that.

And though the anguish felt too much to bear, hear eyes remain dry.


Dylan remains quiet, staring dully out the window as Dan drives. He wonders about all the food that was ordered, but has a hunch all four burgers weren't just for Dan. Once parked and being handed half the food, he finally turns and eyes the bag. His stomach hurt so badly, he wasn't sure if it was hunger or not. He did feel very thirsty though.

Accepting the second coke, he doesn't respond to the humor about Jade. It was probably true. Dylan knew she was protective even if they didn't interact much. Taking a long sip of the drink, the carbonation sliding down his throat felt good - better than he'd thought it would feel.

His eyes drift back to the bag again and his mouth waters. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he shifts sideways to lean his head to the side, resting against the seat. His gaze finally wanders to Dan, staring at him for a long moment. He was glad no one else knew about this. He'd rather show up and have an explanation be on his own terms rather than people having time to wonder and think up stories on their own.

"Good." His voice was raspy and he clears his throat. "I'm not convinced about how many people will be glad though."

His hand wanders to the bag of food and he retrieves a french fry. He nibbles on it slowly, but just that is enough to make his stomach crave more. He finishes the fry and reaches for another one.

"All my dad cares about is the work I do, and anybody else couldn't probably care less."

He takes another sip of his coke, and this time he reaches in the bag, it's a burger he pulls out. Unwrapping it carefully, he disassembles the sandwich to remove the pickles then puts it back together again. The first bite goes down easily, although he just hopes it will stay down. It takes him a moment to swallow and he leans his head to the side again, waiting for it to settle before trying another bite.

"Thanks... for coming and getting me though."


Though still swinging, Zach was listening carefully to Beth, a small smile remaining on his face. A light laugh slips out though at the thought of a young Beth stuck in a swing. "At least it was just a swing. I got stuck in a doggy door once."

His eyes widen a little. "Imagine me trying to explain that one when Dad got home from work. All he saw was my bottom half sticking out the door."


Justin pauses at the partially open door. He could see Jared inside, sitting up and eating lunch. It was a good time to visit. His mother had come and gone. There was nothing else going on today since he'd left Brookshire. He was man enough to go in there. It was only right. He'd thought about bringing Beth, but she was busy today and he knew he couldn't keep avoiding this. He could bypass his emotions to make this visit. He wasn't a child. And yet...

He sighs and finally taps a knuckle on the door before entering.

Jared looks up quickly and lifts an eyebrow with question. "Hi."

"Hi." Justin approaches cautiously before grabbing a chair and turning it around to sit backwards and lean on the backrest. His eyes study Jared for several long moments. The bandage was off his head, and he looked good for someone who'd been hit by a bus.

Jared fingers his spoonful of pudding, sensing an odd tension in the air. "Let me guess... you're somebody I'm supposed to know."

A small grin is the best Justin can do. "I'm your brother."

Jared's eyebrows rise even further. He'd talked to his mother about many things... but family was something they hadn't covered. Since she'd said nothing, he'd assumed she was it. "Wow... I have a brother? Really?"

"Yeah."

"Well, what's... what's your name?"

"Justin."

"Older or younger?"

"Younger."

"Mom, she... never said anything about family."

"Yeah. I, um... I asked her not to talk about me," Justin admits. "I didn't want to have too much thrown at you all at once." That was a good enough reason for now. If he couldn't throw a punch at Jared's face, then staying away was all he could do.

Jared nods a little and eats more of his pudding. He didn't really understand, but if his family had wanted it that way, then maybe it was best. "I... guess I don't know what to say."

"That's alright." Justin shrugs. "I know it's probably awkward. Feeling the pressure of everyone expecting you to recognize people you don't remember... maybe a little embarrassed, even though you shouldn't be. It's gotta be weird having someone you don't know say they're your family. Understandable though, and perfectly normal."

Jared blinks before his eyes narrow inquisitively. "You a shrink?"

"Counselor."

"Ah."

Justin sees his brother aiming for his bowl of fruit, but shakes his head. "I wouldn't, if I were you."

"Wouldn't what?"

"Pineapple. Your face will swell up like a balloon... won't be able to breathe... hives... pretty nasty."

Jared's eyes were wide again. "Okay then. Allergic to pineapple. I'll have to remember that, um... thank you."

"Yeah." Justin didn't ever think he'd be warning his brother about food allergies. There were definitely times he wouldn't have minded watching Jared suffer. But seeing him now... with that blank stare that said he was clueless about everything... watching him suffer didn't seem so fun.

Jared clear his throat, breaking an awkward silence. "So... any other sibling hiding out?"

"No. Just us."

"Oh. What about a dad?"

"Uh... he died... when we were kids."

"Oh." Jared was sorry to hear that. "How... how did he die?"

"Car accident. On his way home from work. Early. To pick me up for a fishing trip."

Though the whole conversation was ultra matter-of-fact, Jared senses the suppressed emotions in Justin's voice. "Wow... that's... that's tough. I hope you didn't blame yourself."

Justin just stares at his brother. He had wanted to hear that for how many years? And it took Jared losing his memory to actually say it... to not blame him outright for their father's death. And Justin couldn't even be mad at him. Standing up, he puts the chair back in its place. "I gotta go."

"Oh." Jared is a bit disappointed. The rest of the day would be awfully quiet. "Okay well... nice seeing, um... meeting you."

Justin looks at him for a moment and just nods. "Later."

Left alone, Jared stares down at his pudding. Why couldn't he remember?

Mr Doe

Officer Charles never breaks his eye contact with Cindy. He could see the pain, the anger that was deep inside her. His own heart ached for her, he wish there was something more he could do. He wanted to be there if she needed anyone, but there was not way to say it. Hearing her words and feeling there coldness was like a sting that could not compare and for a moment he wished he wasn't the one who had come.

Once Cindy steps back inside and closes the door he just stands there for a long moment looking at the closed door. Finally letting out the breath he had held in. Why couldn't he have said more, there was no training for this. This was a pain even the military couldn't train them to block out.

Finally backing up himself he sets the bag down by the door. He new Cindy would find it when she was ready. Inside were some clothing, letters from Cindy that had been printed and saved. A picture of her and Kaylee and a few other things as well.

Turning he heads back down the steps and to the jeep. Just sitting there for a long moment he prayed Cindy would be ok. He's spend a little time in town before heading back home. Home, his apartment was all he had to go home to. Empty, and alone...maybe he's hang around in town for a little while here.

Getting to his truck he takes one more look at the house. It hurt losing a friend, he could only imagine how it much feel for Cindy. He'd keep hope though that Wes would be ok and after his own wounds healed he would continue to look for him too.

Laying in a bed still, silently very very far away was a man wrapped in bandages. The Dr enters his room reads his chars, checks the mesheans in the room and lets out a long sigh. Just looking at the pashent without moving he wonders if this man will ever wake from the darkness that held him.

In a way he wished he would because he new he must have a family out there somewhere, a family who would want to hear about how much of a hero he was, and how he saved a young boys life. But on that same hand he was happy he was still in the coma so his wounds could heal.

"Dr?"

Dr Armstrong gives a jump and turns around looking at the nurse that had just come into the room.

"Yes nurse?"

"Is there any change Sir with Mr. Doe?"

"I'm afraid not yet. He's more stable now than he was yesterday but he's still in the coma."

The nurse gives a nod before leaving the Dr following soon after leaving the man to continue sleeping in peace. Would he wake at all? One could up. Would he remember anything, it was doubtful but one step at a time was that was thought of.

Once the brain freeze was gone Beth slowly opens her eyes to look at Zach again. A stilly look crossed her lips as she took another bit of ice cream completely forgetting about the brain freeze. The ice cream was just to good.

"A picnic sure does sound nice!"

Finishing off her ice cream Beth licks her fingers one at a time making sure she got everything. Watching Zach swing back and forth Beth gives a laugh at his comment about knocking himself out. She couldn't help the silly mental image she got in her head of him on the swing.

Moving up on the slide a little bit Beth lets her feet up and than slides back down. Giving a little laugh it tickled her stomach a little bit. It had been a long time she she had done that.

"When Sarah was really little my mom took us to a part once. I remember she put Sarah in once of those baby swings. I wanted to try so I got in one too. Getting in was the easy part but I got stuck on the way out. She had to call dad at work to come and help me. Sarah sat and laughed and laughed having no idea what was going on but thinking it funny anyways."

Leaning back on the slide and looking up at the sky Beth folds her hands over her stomach a smile on her face as she remembered the good memorie. It had one that seemed to be lost in the pain but today Zach had helped her remember and it felt good.

Letting out a sigh and just watching Dylan as he got into the truck Dan studied him for a long moment. It was like it was before all over again, and it made Dan sad. The only good thing was at least Dylan didn't have to do it alone and this time he was choosing to come back to the ranch.

Finally getting into the truck himself he starts it up and heads back out of town. Coming across the burger joint he pulls up to the drive through. He wouldn't force Dylan in they could sit in the truck instead.

"I'd like 4 four double cheese burgers, two large fries and two cokes."

"Would you like....apple pies...that?"

"No thank you."

"Thirteen Fifty please drive around."

Driving around, paying and getting the food the smell seemed to invade the truck. It smelled so good to Dan he could feel his stomach crunch once again. Finding a nice parking spot tucked away a little bit he take out two of the burgers, and one of the frys before handing the bag to Dylan. Even if he eat one of the cheese burgers and a few frys he would be happy. Dylan looks to sickly to him.

"If you don't eat anything Jade will smack me over the head for starving you. So I at least had to get you something. Not to mention the stuff did look really good."

Taking a bit of the burger after he unwrapped the paper Dan makes a soft moan in his throat. It really did tast good. He liked the ranch food it was some of the best but there was just something about a fast food burger that was just as good sometimes. Taking a sip of the soda Dan finally looks to Dylan again giving a small smile. He wanted to ask how he was doing but one look could answer that so Dan tried to come up with something else.

"I really am happy you called Dylan. I know a few other people who are gonna be happy your back too. I didn't tell anyone before i left through. I wasn't sure how public you wanted to make it right away."